There’s a war in Israel, and I’m not at the rallies

“How are you doing?” my friend asks me, “I mean, with everything that’s going on…”

I pause for a moment. 

“I’m fine, Boruch Hashem.” I muster. “Really, more or less the usual.”  

Honestly, I’m not really following what’s going on.
That is, what’s going on outside of my never-ending and all-encompassing role of mothering my children.

Yes, the first couple days when the news arrived I was in tears, and there’s a constant dull ache in my heart that grows into a throb when I think of the hostages and what they and their families must be going through. 
My heart stops for a couple of seconds thinking of all the mothers racing their children into safe rooms with only seconds to spare, trying to somehow maintain their faith and composure despite the panic rising within.

But I admit I haven’t done much differently these days.

I avoid the news beyond what’s shared with me directly.
I haven’t joined many of the tefillah gatherings, haven’t sent anything to the soldiers, and the bit of extra learning I took on did not last beyond a couple of days.
I want to, I mean to, but I don’t have the spare minutes or head space to make any of it happen.  

She can relate. 

“Don’t feel guilty,” she reminds me. “We are doing our part. We are mothers.” 

I know she is right.
By providing our children with a stable, loving, and happy home, we are holding down the fort.
We are enabling those on the war front to do their part, trusting us to keep life going in the meanwhile.

We are the bedrock of the Jewish nation.
And caring for our kids is enough.
Yesterday, today, and always.

That’s all. I’m busy with the kids, and if you are busy with yours, be proud of yourself.
Let those without little ones do all the things.
Instead, dedicate your extra measure of patience, that time you bite your lip instead of criticizing, the eleventh time you swept your floor today, and the supper you cooked with love, to the good of the Jewish people.

We are all in the service of Hashem.
And we are all filling the world with much-needed light, beginning with the sanctuary that is our home.

* * *  

There’s just one thing. 

I’m still short on funds to send my book to print. 

All this while, I had hesitated to bring it up again, knowing that we are all fully invested in the call of the hour – in supporting our nation through a war of good versus evil, a war that needs us all. 

But I forgot that this is a part of it too. 

That being a mother, supporting fellow mothers, and inspiring mothers, is a mission that never isn’t relevant. In fact, it’s probably more relevant now than ever. 

Now, when every friend and neighbor is moving mountains arranging shipments or prayer vigils around the clock, and we are home changing diapers and singing with our little ones – now we need a reminder that our work is the essential work of raising the next generation. 

That we need not feel less-than, “burdened” by our duties which hold us back from doing “important” work, but empowered by the mission that is uniquely ours, and foundational to the mission of our entire nation. 

The show must go on. We’ve $7.5K left to raise, and we need $5,000 of that now to send to the printer. 

Some people have suggested offering dedications. For various reasons I had not offered it until now, but perhaps it’s what’s needed to get to the finish line, and so I’m happy to make it happen.

Of course, anyone who contributed in any amount is sharing in the zechus of this project – but you now have the opportunity to memorialize your part in this and dedicate it in writing, in every single book, to your loved one.

Let this book, chock full of meaningful meditations, inspiration and faith to encourage parents raising their precious Yiddish children, be a tribute.

Please consider any of the following dedications:

$1000 – Full page dedication
$500 – Half page dedication
$250 – Quarter page dedication
$4000 – Back page dedication

As always, I am extremely grateful for any amount you can give, whether $18, $36 or $50. And if you have a friend who may be interested in taking part in this beautiful project please share it further!

Donate through the campaign link here, send via zelle to giftofchildren@gmail.com or Paypal.me/giftofchildren

Email your dedication text to giftofchildren@gmail.com. 

P.S. If you are one of the incredibly generous people who already gave in any of the above amounts and would like to include a dedication, please feel free to email me the text you’d like to include and it will gladly be applied. 

Looking forward to sharing the book with you in print in a very short while,

<3 Chaya